SIA’s Chew is new IATA boss

7 June 2006

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Singapore Airlines’ Chief Executive Officer, Chew Choon Seng, began his one year term as the chairman of the association’s Board of Governors for 2006-7 with the close of the 62nd Annual General Meeting in Paris. Chew succeeds Robert Milton, Chairman of Air Canada.

“Air transport continues to face many challenges. I look forward to the coming year as an opportunity to work with the IATA team to push for much needed change across the industry,” said Chew. “Change begins at home and the first priorities will be successfully moving forward with the IATA Operational Safety Audit and Simplifying the Business. At the same time, I look forward to working with Giovanni to shout politely for greater efficiency from our partners and more commercial freedom from governments.”

Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO said, “First, we must thank Robert for his leadership and support over the last year and for a job well-done. I am confident that Choon Seng will bring a new perspective to the role of Chairman while continuing the drive for change across the industry. The agenda is full, but I am confident that together we will continue to deliver the important results that the industry needs.”

The IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit concluded in Paris today. The 800 delegates gathered for the event discussed the industry’s most important issues, including safety, efficiency, liberalisation, fuel efficiency, and the environment.

Full content of the AGM can be found on www.iata.org/events/agm/2006/.

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Among the last orders of business for the 2006 AGM was approval of the next World Air Transport Summit and IATA Annual General Meeting to be held in Vancouver 3-5 June 2007. “We appreciate the kind offer of Robert Milton and the Air Canada team to reconvene in Vancouver next year. In the interim, we need governments and our value chain partners to heed our wake-calls and get on board with change,” said Bisignani.——-